Hosiery-drying machine



2 192 June 7 w. WJSIBSON HOSIERY DRYING MACHINE 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 13, 1924 a n m,

WITNESSES:

INVENTOR: T/Vali'er W Sibson. mfim Y TTORNEYS.

June 28, 1927. 1,634,237

w. w. SIBSON HOS IERY DRYING MACHINE Filed May 13. 1924 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 WITNESSES: IN VEN TOR BY/Valfar W sin ly,

June: 1 w. w. SIBSON HOSIERY DRYING MACHINE Filed May 13', 1924 35 Sheets-Sheet 3 5 INVENTOR:

Walier W 551150, By W 'ORNEYS.

Patented June 28, 1927.

UNITED STATES WALTER W. SIBSON,

or PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO THE PHILA- DELPHIA DRYING MACHINERY COMPANY, OF FI'IILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA,

A CORPORATION OF PENNSYLVANIA.

I-IOSIERY-DRYING MACHINE.

Application filed May 13, 1924. Serial No. 712,965.

This invention relates to a hosiery drying machine embodying mechanism for travers ing a. series of forms through a drying zone, with provision for oscillatory expulsion and return to effect removal of dried articles and their replacement by fresh wet ones.

An object of my invention is to provide novel means for expelling and returning successive forms by radial rocking action, relative to the drying Zone, they are pro gressed past an attendants station whereby stripping and boarding are conveniently accomplished with precision and rapidity.

Another object is the provision of novel mechanism whereby the series of forms are intermittently progressed with synchronized expulsion and. return of relatively separated units.

Other objects and attendant advantages willlater onbe referred to, or become obvious from the following detailed. description of one practical embodiment of my invention; but it is to be. understood that the same is by way of example'only, while the features of novelty are succinctly defined in the subjoined claims.

In the further disclosure of this invention reference is made to the accompanying drawings, constituting a partof this specification; and in which like characters designate the same or corresponding parts in all the views.

Fig. I, is a vertical section of a hosiery drying machine conventionally embodying this invention.

Fig. II, is a plan view of the same with parts broken away, and in section, to better disclose certain underlying structural features.

Fig. III, is a broken verticalsection of modified form of the invention.

Fig. IV, is a fragmentary transverse section of the preceding figure.

Fig. V is a detail view illustrating the manner in which the hosiery forms are supported by superposedrotary conveyors.

Fig. VI, is a detail view of the mechanism operative to rock successive forms out of, and into, the drying Zone at the attendants station.

Fig. VII, is a fragmentary detail view illustrative of the manner in which certain inst'fii nentalitie's co operat'e to enter a i 1 form. into the; drying Zone; am,

.preciated from Fi Fig. VIII, is a similar View exemplifying the reverse operation.

Referring more particularly to Figs. I and II, it will be seen that the drying machine comprises a cylindrical chamber comprehensively designated by the numeral 9, with a lateral offset portion 10 providing a location whereat an attendant or attendants, is, or are, stationed to effect stripping and boarding of successively expelled hosiery forms 11, before their return into the inachine, as hereafter fully explained. This chamber 9 is divided intermediate its top 12 and bottom 13 by a rotatable diaphragm 14 having a series of radial slots 15 in which the aforesaid forms 11 are engaged during progression through the drying zone 16; and, said diaphragm divides the chamber 9 into upper and lower compartments a, Z), respectively, the former a including the drying Zone 16, whereas the latter Z) houses certain mechanism, hereafter described, and protects the same from injurious action by surrounding moist atmosphere, as well as safe-guard ing the operative or operatives adjacent thereto.

Mounted concentrically over the compartment on by means of transverse supports 17, is a hood 18, having an outlet 19 under control of a damper 20 in the well known way. Co-axial within the chamber 9, and support ed by oblique angle-struts 21, is a cylindrical conduit 22 having its upper end partially closed-in to provide aiiopening 23, 111 which is located a horizontally rotatable fan 24, the shaft whereof is journ'aled in a bearing 25 supported by oppose'dly directed channel members 26. Rotary motion is imparted to the fan 2 l'by a miter-couple 27 driven by a radially disposed shaft 28, ioiirnaled in bearings' 29; and said'shaft 28, in turn, has motion imparted thereto from any convenient source of powertransmitted to the pulley couple 30. 1

Arranged within the cylindric chamber 9, are upper and lower headers 31, 32 respectively, connected by vertical pipes 33 through which the heating medium is circulated in the well known way; and, aswill be best apl, when the fan 24 is ro tated, a constant e ulation of heated air through av. g zone ibwill be main; tained or less looped diree p which said invention appertains.

flow, as indicated by the arrows on said figure. Obviously, atmospheric air will be constantly drawn into the open top 1-2 of the compartment a and mix with: the moist-air drawn off from the wet hosiery and circulated in the manner above referred to; but it will be equally clear that by regulating the damper 20, all air may be drawn from the radiating surfaces of the pipes 33, and headers 31, 32, over the hosiery clothed forms ll, and exhausted through the outlet 19. On the other hand a portion only of the heated moist-air may he recirculated by partially closing the damper 20, with the balance thereof exhausted by way of the outlet 19.

In some instances, and where it is desirable that all the moisturedaden air drawn off from the clothed forms 11 shall be completely exhausted-from the drying zone l6,-l conveniently adopt the upper compartment assembly shown by F ill, and from which it will be observed that the compartment a is closed in by a cover snugly surrounding, but not extendii'igr below, the upper header 31. Similarly the shell or skin of the lower compartu'ient Z) embraces, but terminates co-planal with the upper surface of, the lower headers 32, whereby the nest of vertical tubes 33 constitutes an outer surrounding. apertured-wall for the drying zone 16. In this form of the invention, I make the cylindrical conduit 22 of perfrate materialbelow the planal level of the fan 24, and connect it coextensive with the hood 18; all of which will be readily understood by anyone conversant with the art to In. so far as the associated parts are concerned, it will be noted that they are the con'iplements of those previously described in connection. with Figs. I and 11, hence they are correspondingly designated, while ft the]: de scription is deemed unnecessary. Furthermore the changed directional flow of the drying medium is indicated by the arrows on Fig. III.

The rotatable diaphragm 14, as best seen by Fig. I, is secured in any convenient manner to the upper end of a vertical shaft 35 journaled in bearings 36 mounted within the lower compartment Z). This shaft 35 also affords rigid support for a pair of superposed spiders 3'7, 38, and said shaft is adapted for comparatively slow intermittent rotation. by means of a crown gear 39 meshing at intervals with the constantly rotating dwell-spaced gear 4.0 on the inner end of a counter-shaft 4i, journaled in bearings 42. This counter-shaft 41 is rotated by means of a worm drive 43, and vertical shaft 44, in turn driven by a miter couple 45 from the hereinbefore referred to radial shaft 28.

Referring again to the hosiery forms 11, each of which is adapted for radial rocking expulsion from, and return into, the drying ee ass? zone 16, it will be ol'iservedv that they are supported by carrier shoes MS of appropriate type to clan'ipingly receive individual forms of different size and pattern. Each carrier shoe 4:6 and associated parts being in counterpart I will, for the sake of brevity, confine the following description to a single unit. Integral with the carrier shoe 4.6 are spaced lugsfi, 48 to the former of which is removably pinned one arm of a triplejointed or pivoted linkage, comprehensively designated by the letter Z and, embracing two main members 49, 50. The member 49, it will he observed is of angled configuration to afford a relatively short arm 51, an intermediate arm 52, and a comparatively longer arm whereas the other member 50 is of obtuse-angled formation to provide a rocker 5-1 and a short tappet section or trip 55, whereby the linkage Z is influenced to rock the connected form ll hereafter fully explained. The intermediate arm 52 aforesaid is conveniently connected, by a short link 56, to the lap; 48, whereby provision is made to accommodate different forms and sizes of carrier shoes 46, while the obtuse angled member 50 is pivoted at 57 to intermediate radial lugs 58 at the circumferential edge of'the lower spider 38. It is here noticeable that the rocker portion 54; of the link member 50 is afforded radial guidance in an elongated slot 59 of the upper spider 37; said slot having); a co-aligned stepped recession 60 for complemental accommodation of the elbow portion of. the link member 4-9, as will be readily appreciated by an examination of Figs. l and 11, more particularly.

()utward throw of the ti'iplepivoted linkage Z just described, is controlled by a lateral. pin or stud 61 at the free end of the arm 53 cooperating with a stop lug 62 integral with, and on the underside of, the spider 3?, whereas inward movement is limited by the edge ofthe rocker 54f being brought into abutment with the inclined inner end 68 of the elongated slot and lateral repose of the intermediate arm 52 upon the aligning upper surface edge of said slot. 1 to be noted that the rocker 54.- is p with a lateral pin or stud 6%, the function of which will be. later on fully set forth,

The means operative to effect actuation of successive linkages Z, whereby the associated form 11 is radially rocked and expelled from the drying zone 16 for stripping and reclothing, and thereafter similarly returned into said zone comprises opposcdly rotated cams 65, 66. These cams 65, 66 are the com plement of one another, and are of the intermittent semi-cylindric variety, beingidly attached to, or formed integral wi co-aligned stub shafts 67,68 journaled in bearings 69, 69; and each of said stub shafts is fitted with a bevel gear 70, for differential drive by a common or intermediate gear 71 i 3 ft) fill on a transverse radial shaft 72. journaled in bearings 73, and tontinuously rotated by a bevel gear 7 1 in mesh with a crown gear on the vertical shaft 35, hereinbefore referred. to. As will be best seen by Fig. 11, the cams 66 are in somewhat spaced relation for a purpose later on explained, but it will be obvious that they may be otherwise located relative to one another.

To afford exit and entry for the forms 11 relative to the drying zone 16, the upper chamber or compartment (4 is provided with vertical openings 76, 77, respectively, and said openings have associated battles 78, 79., the former 78, of which is constituted by a radially stepped wall, intermediate the shed of the cylindrical chamber 9 and concentric conduit whereas the latter, 79, is of angular cross-section and functional to guide consecutive forn'is with proper registration into the aforesaid openings, as wel as to shield the adjacent ends of the headers 31, 32, and vertical pipes 3-3, from localized cooling due to their close juxtaposition to the openings 76, 77.

The operation of my novel type of hosiery drying machine is as follows:

Motion being imparted to the radial shaft 28 it will be clearly apparent from the pre ceding description that the fan 24: and countershaft ll will be continuously rotated, while said shaftl1 will, in turn, intermittently rotate the spiders 37, 88, and associated diaphragm 1a through the medium of the dwell-spaced and crown gears 40, 39, respectively.

Simultaneous with each part rotative movement of the vertical shaft 35, spiders 37, 3S, and diaphragm 14;, motion is imparted to the transverse shaft 72 with con-sequential rotation in opposed directions of the stub shafts 67, 68 and semi-cylindric cams 65, 66. Referring more particularly to Figs. 11, VII and VIII, and assuming that the cams 65, (36, are as indicated by the associated arrows-respect-ively rotated in clockwise and counter-clockwise directions, it will be seen. that the advancing rise Fig. Vlll of the cam 65, will engage the tappet 55 of the linkage member 50 and swing the same radially inwards relative to the vertical center line of the machine. As a result of the motion just described the linkage Z will function and expel or rock the form 11 carried thereby from the shaded position shown at the left-hand side of Fig. I, to the juxtaposed position indicated in flat outline; or exterior to the drying zone 16. over the offset portion 10. Incident to the rocking of the linkage member 50, it will be observed that, the associated threearmed member L9 has received a differential motion whereby the long arm 53 has moved upwardly into abutment below the spider 37 with the stud 61 thereon limiting its outward throw by engagement with the stop lug 62. At this juncture, it is well to note that the pin or stud 64 serves as the third pivotal point of the linkage Z. over which the arm 53 pivotally slides to effect rocking of the form 11, from an inwardly inclined drying zone progressing position to exterior vertical disposition for stripping and reclothing, as will be clearly understood on examination of the left-hand side of Fig. I.

low it will be readily apparent that the cam 66 by its advancing rise'81 will simultaneously have functioned in a reverse manner, whereby the linkage Z acted upon has operated to rock the form 11 carried thereby from exterior exposure back into the drying zone 16. At this point I desire again to draw particular attention to the spaced relation of the came 65, 66 which makes provision for actuation of separated linkages Z, whereby the exposed forms 11 are progressed exteriorly of the machine a suliicient period of time to accommodate stripping, reclothing and inspection successively with ease and facility, but it will be clear that such relative spacing of said cams may be otherwise than as shown without interfering with their proper functioning.

From the preceding explanatory description it will be obvious that immediately a form 11 is expelled from the drying zone 16 over the offset portion 10, an attendant stationed at SW-for 'examplecan strip the dried article therefrom. Subsequent intermittent movements of the spiders 37, 38 will progress the stripped form 11 to reclothing location B'for instance-whereat another operative will place a fresh wet article there on, when the next succeeding part rotative movement of said spiders will advance the form to position C ready for return into the drying zone 16, as before set forth. Obviously the offset portion 10 is made opentopped, as indicated at 82, to accommodate unimpeded progression of the forms 11 and associated linkages Z from the position designated S to that characterized C.

lVhile I have described the spiders 37. 38 and linkages Z as intermittently operated, it will be readily understood that, by appropriate gearing-down, said spiders may be continuously rotated with a comparatively slow motion, whereas the cams 65, 66 would be correspondingly geared-up to oscillate the linkages Z with a quick and positive action at the points of form expulsion from, and return to, the drying zone 16. Furthermore the lower compartment 2) of the machine may be surrounded by reticulate material instead of being closed-in as herein before set forth.

From the foregoing description and a study of the drawings it will be quite clear to anyone in the least conversantwith the art to which this invention appertains, that I have devised a simple and very ellieient automatic machine for drying hosiery and other articles, the inherent advantages and general utility whereol are so obvious, that further elaboration is deemed unnecessary. Still further it is to be noted that While I have described and explained one practical en'ibodiment of my invention, the same is susceptible of varied modification Without departing from the true intent and scope thereof, as tersely defined by the subjoined claims.

lilaving thus described my invention. I claim:

l. In a drying machine having a zone open to the atinmp iere, superposed spiders eonvoying forms tl'ierethrough in relative stationary disposition, and means functional to radially rock successive terms outwards and inwards with respect to the dryin zone tor stripping and roclcthing.

2. in a drying machine havii'ig an annular zone open to the atmosphere, supcrp sed spiders conveying terms thorcihrough in relative stationary disposition, and cooperative means functional to radially expel and return successive forms with respect to the annular zone tor stripping and reclothing.

3. In av drying machine having an annular zone open to the ati'i'iosphere, mea s conveying a series oi lorm carriers therethrough in radial disposition, said means including spaced rotatable spiders, and a triple-jointed linkage supporting each said carrier with capacity :tor outward and inward oscillation.

'2. in a dryin machine having an annular none open to the atmosphere, means conveying a series Ol torn] carriers therethrough in radial disposition, said means including concentrically superposed spiders, and a triple-jointed linkage supporting each said term carrier with capacity for radial oscillation.

in a drying machine having an annuzone open to the atmosphere. means conveying a series of term carriers therethrough in radial disposition, said means including concentrically superposed spiders, a triple jointed linkage supporting each said carrier r-ith capac for racial oscillation, and associated diaphr n ltn radial slots to ceire the forms whereby they are held relaly stationary during progression through .1. drying zone.

h. In a dryii'ig machine having an anin'ila r zone open lo the atn'iosphere, mea conveying a series of form carriers therethrough in radial disposition, said n'ieans including concentrically superposed spiders, a triplejointed linkage supporting each said form carrier with capacity for radial oscillation, an associated diaphragm having radial slots to re ceive the forms whereby they are held rela tively during progress. on through an out ard-throw the drying zone, and means for intermittently progressing said spiders and diaphragm simultaneously with. actuation of the linkage aforesaid.

7. in a drying machine having an annular zone open to the atmosphere, means eonveyinp; a series o'l :t'orm carriers theretluiough, said means comprising upper and lOWGI' concentrically rotatable spiders, and a triplejoiutcd linkage supporting cacn said carrier, the lower spider serving as a. "fulcrum for the triple-jointed linkage and the upper one as a guide support therefor.

8. In a drying machine having an annular zone open to the atmosphere, means conveying a series oi? term carriers therethrough, said means con'iprising upper and lower concentrically rotatable spiders, a triple-jointed linkage sup 'iorting each said carrier, the lower spider serving as a fulcrum for the triple-jointed linlnige and the upper one as a guide support therefor, in combination with a superposeil diaphragm functional to prevent lateral displacement oi the forms d urin g progression through the annular zone aforesaid.

9. in a iilrying machine including a series of rockable l'orm carriers, the combination ot a spider functional as a guiding support tor the torn: carriers, said spider having a series oi radial slots each With an inclined inner end and a co-aligned outer recession :tor the purposes specified.

it). In a drying machine having an annul r zone open to the atmosphere and means progressing form carriers therethrough with predetermined directional. disposition, individual means functional to radially rock each successive lorm outwards and inwards with respect to the drying zone comprising a triple-pivoted linkage including a rocker and three-armed cooperative members, the latter having two of its arms attached to the form carrier and the third operative as limiting means.

ll. In a drying machine having an annular zone open to the atmosphere and superposed spiders progressing torm carriers tl'ierethrough With predetermined directional disposition, individual means functional to radially rock each successive form outwards and inwards with respect to the drying zone comprising an angled rocker pivoted on one spider to allord a. tappet, and graduated three-air ned cooperative member, the shorter arms of Which are detachal'ily connected to the form carrier. and a stud on the longer arm for engagement with a stop lug on the other spider for the purpose specified.

12. in a drying machine having an annular zone open to the atmosphere and super- )OSGCl spiders progressing form carriers therethrough With predetermined directional disposition, an obtuse angled rocker for each term pivoted to the lower sniderjto afford a depending tappet, a graduated three-armed cooperative member the shorter arms of which are detachably connected to said form carrier, a stud on the longer arm for engagement with a stop lug on the upper spider, and a fulcrum on the angled rocker over which the longer arm aforesaid rides to change the longitudinal inclination of the term when radially oscillated relative to the annular zone for stripping and reclothing.

13. In a drying machine having an annular zone open to the atmosphere and superposed spiders progressing torin carriers therethrough with predetermined directional disposition, an obtuse angled rocker for each form carrier pivoted to the lower spider to aii'ord a depending tappet, a graduated three-armed cooperative member the shorter arms of which are detaohably connected to said form carrier, a stud on the longer arm for engagement with a stop lug on the upper spider, a fulcrum on the angled rocker over which the longer arm aforesaid rides to change the longitudinal inclination oi the form then radially oscillated, and means comprising aligned r-eversely rotatable cams operative to efiect the radial oscillation aforesaid.

145. In a drying machine having an annular zone open to the atmosphere and superposed spiders progressing form carriers therethrough with aredeterminec directional disposition, individual means func tional to radially rock each successive form outwards and inwards with respect to the annular zone comprising an obtuse angled rocker pivoted to the lower spider to afford a depending tappet, a graduated threearmed cooperative member the shorter arms whereof are detachably connected to the form carrier, a stud on the longer arm for engagement with a throw limiting stop lug on the upper spider, a fulcrum on the angled rocker over which the longer arm aforesaid rides to change the longitudinal inclination of the form, and aligned reversely rotatable seini-cylindrical came for co-action with the tappet to eflect the radial rocking aforesaid.

15. In a drying machine including an annular drying zone open to the atmosphere, superposed spiders conveying form carriers therethrough in relative radial disposition, means functional to rockingly expel and return successive forms with respect to said drying zone, and means eifective to intermittently progress 'he form carriers with synchronous actuation of the rocking means.

16. In a drying machine including an annular drying zone open to the atmosphere, superposed spiders conveying form carriers therethrough with radial disposition, means functional to rockingly expel and return relatively separated carriers with respect to said drying zone, and means effective to intermittently progress the form carriers with synchronous actuation of the rocking means of relatively separated radial units.

17. In a drying machine embodying a conduit with a concentric cylindrical heating means affording an intervening annular drying zone, the combination of means functional to divert into said drying zone-for re-circulationa controllable quantity of the moisture-laden air passing oil from the articles being dried.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto signed my name at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, this 6th day of May, 1924.

WALTER W. SIBSON. 

